Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698929057978.pdf (Malaysia)
CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE (PAC) CUM MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR PARIT SULONG OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE PARLIAMENT OF MALAYSIA, JALAN PARLIMEN 50680 KUALA LUMPUR Tel Fax Email Website : 03-2601 7263 / 2698 6852 (DL) : 03-2698 9218 : pacparlimen@parlimen.gov.my : http://www.parlimen.gov.my/pac 1 August 2019 MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE HON.
DATUK DR. NORAINI AHMAD, CHAIRPERSON OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE (PAC) CUM MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR PARIT SULONG IN THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS FOR COMMONWEALTH ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEES (CAPAC) SEMINAR FROM 1 UNTIL 3 AUGUST 2019 Kuala Lumpur: The move to strengthen the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is the best way to ensure that control over government’s spending is truly achieved for the wellbeing of the nation and the people.
PAC chairperson, Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad said, the reform process of the Parliament is measured by the effectiveness of the PAC in playing its role as the ‘check and balance’ for the government.
Speaking before the delegation of the Commonwealth Association of Public Accounts Committee (CAPAC) Seminar participated by eight countries from this region here today, Dr Noraini said, the reform of the Parliament by appointing Opposition Member of Parliament to lead the PAC should be recognised as the right move for this Committee to play its role more effectively.
She said, PAC consists of 14 Members of Parliament from all parties, the committee serves as a bipartisan committee and focuses on maximising the benefit from each government’s spending for the people.

"When all PAC Members meet, they need to get rid of their political beliefs and focus on the efforts to ensure that each government’s spending will benefit the people."
"At the same time, the elements of Misappropriation, Extravagance and Abuse in every government financial matter need to be eradicated or minimised by each ministries, departments and agencies," she said.

Dr Noraini, who is also the first female Opposition Member of Parliament being elected as the PAC Chairperson in April, also admits that the challenges faced by the PAC is overwhelming as the people are demanding that this Committee plays a more proactive role when it comes to government’s spending.
She said this can be proven by the issue on the RM19.4 billion outstanding GST refund claims that requires the PAC to hold 10 proceedings for 11 months before tabling its report to the Parliament.

"This demonstrates the level of confidence given by the people, Members of Parliament and Cabinet Members towards the PAC is very high."
"This Committee, in fact, has a various source of authority, not only the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat but also Treasury Instructions and General Circulars Number II 1980," she said.

Dr Noraini also assured that every investigation conducted by the PAC through its proceedings was held without any element of fear or favour against any party.

She said, the cooperation of all PAC Members is excellent and this can be proven where all the decisions for all the reports are made in consensus.
"The PAC report made in consensus is very important as it proves the credibility and transparency of this committee," she said.

Thank you.

The Hon.Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Parliament of Malaysia